"Older people want to be in their own homes": a service evaluation of patient and carer feedback after Pathfinder responded to their emergency calls.

Older people and their next-of-kin voiced a clear preference for hospital avoidance, and strongly valued the opportunity to be treated in their homes at the time of an EMS call rather than default conveyance to the ED. They appreciated the importance of a skilled multidisciplinary team with a follow-up service that effectively positions itself between the acute hospital and community services.